Ask the Doctor

Q:I have hyperhidrosis on my palms, feet and axial area. What can
acupuncture do for me?

A:First,
there are different types of Hyperhidrosis:

Hyperhidrosis

According to current western medical research,
hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating beyond that needed to regulate normal body
temperature) affects 1 out of every 25 people in the United States
(approximately 12 million people). In the Asian population alone, it affects 1
out of every 5 people. Hyperhidrosis is categorized into two groups: primary and
secondary.

Primary Hyperhidrosis
In primary hyperhidrosis, the cause is likely hereditary in at least 40% of
individuals and involves hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system (the
part of the nervous system which controls the sweat glands). Symptoms of
excessive sweating and heat loss occur in the face, underarms, hands, and/or
feet and make them feel clammy, moist, and even wet. These symptoms may occur
spontaneously for brief periods or remain constant throughout the day and night.
While feelings of Anxiety, embarrassment, and/or emotional upset can aggravate
the symptoms further, these are not considered to be the root cause. Common
treatments include alternative therapies including acupuncture, and as a last
resort, ETS (Endoscopic Thoracic Surgery) in which the sympathetic nerve is
severed or clamped at the level of T2, and/or T3-T4 of the thoracic spine.

Secondary Hyperhidrosis
In secondary hyperhidrosis, there is generalized excessive body sweating. In
this case, the cause is attributed to long-standing conditions such as chronic
infection or illness (e.g. autoimmune disorders, hyperthyroidism, malignancies).
This condition can often be confirmed through lab tests of thyroid hormone
levels. Secondary hyperhidrosis does not respond well to surgical methods.

What Acupuncture Can Do For You

From a western medical perspective, acupoints placed in
dermatomes (sensory nerves of the skin) can effect changes in the nervous
system. In hyperhidrosis then, needles inserted into acupoints found in the
T2-T4 dermatome areas can be used to temper the over activity of the sympathetic
system (that controls sweat gland function) to reduce sweating and regulate
normal body temperature. Points that are commonly used for stress relief and
relaxation can also lessen the impact of any aggravating factors such as
shyness, Anxiety, or emotional turbulence.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, the
points used to treat a condition such as hyperhidrosis would be dependent on an
individual personís accompanying signs and symptoms, overall health, and
lifestyle. This means that not all persons suffering from hyperhidrosis would
necessarily be treated alike. Both local and distal points (away from the area
of concern) may be used with different point combinations to address a
particular personís condition and general constitution. The primary goals of TCM
and acupuncture would be to regulate excessive sweating by correcting any
energetic balances in the body based on pattern differentiation, and to
harmonize the mind and body so that emotional disturbances do not aggravate the
condition further.

-Fay-Meling von Moltke Pao

About our Doctors

Fay-Meling von Moltke Pao, DAc, BHSc, Hon.BA, is a
licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of Oriental medicine in Toronto,
Ontario. After completing her degree in Biomedical Ethics at the University of
Toronto, she continued her studies and graduated from a four-year degree program
in Acupuncture and Oriental medicine from the Michener Institute of Applied
Health Sciences (recognized by ACAOM). In her practice, Fay-Meling combines
classical and modern acupuncture techniques with herbal medicine, nutrition and
diet therapy, counselling, tuina (Chinese massage therapy), and qigong where
appropriate.

"My aim is to provide patients with an integrative form of
health care that utilizes the best of eastern and western medicine. As such, I
am committed to working closely with other physicians and health care
practitioners involved in an individual's care, and enabling the person's own
healing abilities. I warmly welcome all patients to my clinic."